CDC Halloween Guidelines Discourage Trick-or-Treat, Costume Parties, Haunted Houses

A set of CDC Halloween guidelines is now posted on the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the holiday is fast approaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CDC Halloween guidelines are part of other fall and winter holiday celebration guidelines such as the Día de los Muertos and the Thanksgiving.

Among the activities identified by the CDC Halloween Guidelines as high risk and should be avoided, unfortunately, are the traditional trick-or-treat, costume party, and visiting haunted houses.

According to the CDC Halloween guidelines, these high risk activities should be avoided to help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19.

Trick-or-treat is discouraged because children go from door to door to receive treats which means there is a lot of contact.

Trunk-or-treat wherein treats are handed out from the trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots are also to be avoided.

The CDC Halloween guidelines also discourage people from attending indoor costume parties as they are sure to be crowded which means social distancing will be impossible.

The same goes for visiting indoor haunted houses and going on hayrides or tractor rides where there is also a crowd of people whom you do not even know and who will be screaming their lungs out.

Going to rural fall festival that is not in your community is also frowned upon especially if you are coming from a place where there is community transmission of the COVID-19.

Using alcohol and drugs must also be avoided because it can cloud judgement and prompt risky behaviours.

This does not mean, however, that the Halloween is cancelled. All Hallow's Eve could still be celebrated as the CDC Halloween guidelines have also identified activities that have moderate risk and low risk.

According to the CDC, these low risk activities are safer alternatives such as pumpkin carving and decorating with the family. This could be done inside the house or outside by maintaining a safe distance from the neighbors.

Halloween decorating is another option, it could be the entire house or apartment or whatever living space you have.

Going outside to watch the decorations of the neighbors can also be done as long as social distancing is maintained, as well as wearing a mask. Instead of the trick-or treat, the children could be set out on a scavenger hunt but must be reminded not to go far and maintain a safe distance from other people.

Or, to be safer, the scavenger hunt could be set inside the house.

Other fun activities would be having a virtual Halloween contest or a Halloween movie night in your household.

As for the moderate risk activities listed on the CDC Halloween guidelines, there is the one-way trick-or-treating, open air costume parade where people must be distanced more than 6 feet apart, a costume party held outside and observing the wearing of masks and social distancing.

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